In the winter of the Giap Ngo year (2014), accepting the invitation of my esteemed friend of the Trần family, I along with a friend went straightaway to the capital city of Austin. At nightfall, we stayed in an inn alongside the road. The day after we went together to Mount Bonnell, the tallest location in the capital.

Upon arriving, atop the mount was a stone pavilion, in the center of which was a memorial tablet recording the merits of a general from previous generations. Particularly, to the right and left of the pavilion were stone tables and chairs upon which travelers to the mount could rest their feet after ascending the mount. Whether in the light of day or dark of night, one could sit at ease and enjoy the wind and moon, or, drinking merrily rife with talking and laughter with one’s brothers, one could recite poetry inspired by the mist and clouds of the scenery, or one could sit still lost in deep thought and silent meditation, quietly examining the transformation of creation along with changes of the four seasons. I along with my friend decided to rest our feet, and together gazed far-off in all four directions. Looking up at the heavens, all that could be seen were swirling rain clouds drifting slowly, following the direction of the wind and changing into forms of countless variety. Gazing down the mountain, trees and vegetation grew thick, rocks and weeds competed with each other for space, and the long river wrapped around like a dragon or serpent, now hidden now clear. The north wind sighed dolefully, green waves rippled, the countryside seemed bleak and desolate, cold and sorrowful, and travelers far from home became sad and anxious.

At this time, I gave a loud cry, and beat the railing with my hand, singing:

Ascending this height, a traveler’s hair is wind-blown
Weary of life, I have now come to this place
Gazing into the distance, my hidden feelings are renewed
Rivers and clouds appear frigid and cold, trees and grasses sorrowful
To where does the blowing wind take fallen leaves
The billowing waves are all one green color
Sadly observing all creation in wither and decay
Surrounded by the vastness of the four directions, pained at my own loneliness!

After this, my complexion become worried and lost in thought, heaving a long sigh, I asked my friend, saying: When observing the scenery, first I am moved and inspired, and then sorrowful. Why is this?

My friend answered, saying: “The great rivers flows east, washing away the heroes of a thousand ages past”, is this not a line from the lyric poetry of Su T’zu Chan? In the past, T’zu Chan and his friend drifted along in a boat, making merry on the river of Ch’ih-pi. Among towering mountains and the vast river, the scenery seemed to share human emotions. In the cool wind and bright moon, their impassioned sighs were transformed into poetry and song. Now, you and I ascend this height and gaze out far into the distance, but this is not the river of Ch’ih-pi, nor is it a magnificent and grand scene like the rivers Ch’iang and the Han, or the H’siao and the H’siang. Furthermore, you and I are not T’zu Chan and his friend from years past. To intently and boldly meditate on the past, discussing strange and great deeds, fancying ourselves different from the multitude of common men, is this not very laughable?

I laughed and replied: I have often heard that valiant and brilliant men rely on the sacred spirit of the countryside to produce them. However, rivers and mountains are ever present, but heroes are few. Why is this? The countryside is vast, but lacks consciousness. Each time a traveler comes to enjoy the scenery he is different, but lush mountains and blue rivers remain ever the same. If one does not harbor vast and great ambition in his heart, even should he brave wind and rain climbing tall mountains and descending into deep caves, it would not be any better than walking to and fro in a deserted village. Though the scenery here is not a famous mountain or magnificent river, it is still a part of the inexhaustible reserves of the Creator. What reason have we not to enjoy it? A man of great principle though living in a dilapidated hut has ambition that is like a fierce stallion, running north and south faraway ten-thousand miles. The ancients once said: Rejoice not because of external objects, nor be sorrowed at oneself. Whether in the imperial court or in one’s home village, one ought to maintain one heart for worrying first for the worries of the realm, and then rejoicing after the realm has rejoiced. If I am diligent in nourishing the vast and righteous spirit given to me by heaven, though my body should wear cloth garments I would not be ashamed, though I should wear fine silk, I would not be deluded. Faraway among remote rivers and lakes, my heart does not waiver from defending the country and bringing peace to the people, just as when I dwell in magnificent palaces and temples. Though my body ages and withers in a faraway land, my heart is ever with the old country and the people of former generations. To achieve this, truly it takes a true man of great principle! Though this river is not that of Ch’ih-pi, though I am not T’zu Chan, though you are not his friend from years of old, is there any difference in the connection between superior men and the countryside past and present? Furthermore, you and I are both travelers who have lost their country and are far from home, now that we have this chance to ascend this height, facing the wind and tilting our goblets, our spirits are boundless and roam free, the worries of ordinary life are completely forgotten, and gradually we begin to approach the lofty and distant. If refined poets and scholars could face this scenery and not be inspired, who knows when they would ever be happy! This feeling, this condition, is known to only you and I, ordinary people of the world cannot understand it. Should there be someone of small understanding that mocks us, saying that we are pretentious, it would not be any different than a lowly scholar laughing at the great Dao.

My friend greatly rejoiced and laughed, and joined me in adjusting our garments and sitting down to rest. After joining each other for a few drinks, we descended the mountain together and went home.